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Travel Diary: African Presidents Welcome U.S. Call for Partnership

Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary | Behind the Scenes PhotosSecretary Clinton champions partnerships during her trip to Africa.“We want to be your partner, not your patron.” That’s what Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today told leaders at the Forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), echoing a core theme of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy. Secretary Clinton is championing partnerships throughout her 11-day trip to Africa.

Her message matches a statement made this week by the presidents of Liberia, Rwanda, Botswana and Senegal, who co-wrote an op-ed entitled “Partnership, Not Patronage.”

“Africa seeks not patrons but collaborators who will work ‘with’ rather than ‘for’ the continent. If the Obama administration wishes to truly make a difference, it must do so as an equal partner,” they wrote.

President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made this idea a foundation of U.S. foreign policy.

In his speech in Ghana in July, President Obama said, “The West has often approached Africa as a patron or a source of resources rather than a partner,” but that he sees the people of Africa as “partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children.”

And in her major address at the Council on Foreign Relations, Secretary Clinton stressed the power of partnerships in development, saying, “These initiatives must not be designed to help countries scrape by – they are a tool to help countries stand on their own.”

On her trip, the Secretary is highlighting examples of successful partnerships and bottom-up solutions. You can read more about the trip here.

Comments

Comments

palgye(prevent t.

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South Korea

August 7, 2009

Palgye in South Korea writes:

if, some Africa`s organization have military or some force
for "settle of dispute". AU`s or others.

operation in Africa or other places, UN or US`s military, always remind of "Rules of Engagement". it`s correct but have so many restriction. when immorality occurs, they want to engage but ruls of engagement is not allow. because of, now, private military companies`s needing is common in Afica and middle east. yes, it`s my point. the inside have not this restriction. they well-known domestic info and person. knows, how to treat? who are? and when... in fact, relision and racial matter is very sensitive. treating outside. somtimes, small mistake bring forth war. (really, Africa is common, in my think.) if add, oil and diamond, is cause, holocaust dictator
and etc....

only saying conclusion, representative of Africa When has the integrated military force where the group which does is official, quite deeply and appropriately quickly in dispute - help of the outside is minimizes or without,
may, they will diminish the budget and brings precautionary measures of terrorism?

sorry, i know, African people very good person but outside money make them very brutally.

The leader of some Africa has an influence in the Africa whole and thinks the thing which will do to want.
A little dangerous attempt but how about you use this gate how to, waste(sorry, i find some shelter)money, time, resources..........

if, are the country and the person where some intention is same who to support and decreases the plunder of dispute and the resources and if reduces a corruption.
more will become the market which is charming and smooth.

(Like this thought holds repeatedly. Speaks a variety to, the situation of Africa the primitive rim is same.
yes, primitive rim......................................
The rich man too the rich man, with the alcoholic beverage and the poor person is not 1 dollar and is hungry calms down, is too pessimistic. Is sorry........................)